KATO　Junichi, 
Dean of the Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter,
Hiroshima University

The Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter (AdSM) is composed of science research groups that seek to explore fundamental principles of matter and life forms, and engineering research groups engaging in advanced technological development to use those fundamental principles to benefit humanity. Science and engineering research groups face common challenges in cutting-edge science and technology and we are tackling these challenges from a different perspective. Material science and life science engage in active collaboration and integration to bring about great advances in researches to solve problems beyond the conventional bounds of those fields. Therefore, three departments of AdSM (Quantum Matter, Molecular Biotechnology, Semiconductor Electronics and Integration Science) are cooperating to work on education and research.

Due to progress in science and technology, and globalization of the society, post-graduate degree holders are expected to play increasingly important roles in society. They are expected to not only acquire proficiency in research approach and advanced technics in their specialized fields, but also attempt to solve the various issues present in the international society with interdisciplinarity, high aspiration and practical abilities.

To meet these demands, AdSM carries out its education in a new and different way. Integrated subjects which are introductory courses outside their specialization, communication subjects and practical career subjects in addition to well-developed subjects within the major are provided in AdSM. Additionally, special programs are offered through joint projects between AdSM and other research institutions and corporate collaborators. In 2007, an educational program on integrated semiconductor and biotechnology was opened to students of all departments. AdSM offers this program to nurture the next generation of researchers and engineers.